The Tried-and-True NARS Products Editors Grab on Black Friday

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There are holiday sales you casually browse, and then there’s the NARS Black Friday sale — the one beauty editors plan for. Not dramatically, but intentionally. When a brand rarely goes on sale and suddenly offers 25% off sitewide, up to 50% off select favorites, and free full-size gifts, you start making a mental list weeks in advance.

The funny thing is that editors test new launches constantly, yet the same NARS icons end up in our carts every November. Some products are simply dependable. They make your skin look alive, your lips soft, your makeup routine smoother. You finish the tube, you repurchase, you don’t overthink it.

With promos running from now through 1/1, this is truly the moment to refill the staples and finally try the formulas everyone talks about. If you want to skip the overwhelm and shop like an editor, here’s exactly what we’re buying.

TL;DR — Editor Picks at a Glance

• Light Reflecting Foundation — skin-like, luminous, dependable
• Afterglow Lip Balm — soft color, hydrated lips, everyday friendly
• Orgasm Blush — the universal shade that still wins
• Afterglow Eyeshadow Palette — wearable neutrals for real life
• Explicit Lipstick — creamy, saturated color

The NARS Products Beauty Editors Actually Buy

Light Reflecting Foundation

Your-skin-but-better in the most flattering way

When editors say a foundation “just works,” this is the one. Light Reflecting feels like nothing on the skin and somehow makes everything look smoother and more awake. It’s the foundation you reach for on days you want compliments without effort.

Afterglow Lip Balm

Soft tint, hydrated lips, zero thinking required

This balm is everyone’s unofficial “desk-to-dinner” companion. It gives that healthy lip tint that looks like you, but better. It’s hydrating enough to feel like skincare, and the shades are flattering across skin tones.

Editor favorite: “Fast Lane” — the definition of an easy everyday nude.

Orgasm Blush

Still the blush that brightens the fastest

Even with hundreds of blushes launching every year, editors always come back to Orgasm. It warms the complexion, adds a subtle glow, and instantly makes you look more rested. There’s a reason it’s still the bestseller.

Afterglow Eyeshadow Palette

A neutral palette that actually gets used

A lot of palettes look gorgeous in the pan and overwhelming on the eyes. Afterglow is the opposite. The shades are soft, blend easily, and work for daytime or a quick smoky moment. If you want something foolproof, this is it.

Explicit Lipstick

Creamy, bold color that feels plush and looks expensive

Explicit Lipstick is the shade-first formula editors reach for when they want color without committing to a matte. It glides on smoothly, feels nourishing, and has that soft-satin finish that makes lips look naturally fuller. It’s comfortable, flattering, and easy to reapply — which is why it’s always an editor favorite when NARS runs a sale.

Conclusion

NARS doesn’t run sales often, which is why editors treat this like a restock ritual. These products are reliable, flattering, and genuinely useful — the kind of staples that make your routine feel easier and a little more polished. If you’re refreshing your makeup bag or ready to invest in something new, this is the moment.